What To Do When You Don't know What To Do?

"I don’t know what to do!" I’m sure, like me, you’ve often cried out these words. Many times a day we face difficulties and problems and we don’t know what to do. Constantly we face situations that require a decision but we are not sure of the right course of action. What should we do? Let me unfold the secret.

We read many stories in the Bible of those who were in this same predicament. I remember the story of Jehoshaphat.¹ A vast army was marching against the people of Judah and he didn’t have the resources to win the battle. Jehoshaphat didn’t know what to do so he cried out to the Lord, "We are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon Thee."

In his desperation, Jehoshaphat found the secret! He turned his eyes upon the Lord. He took his eyes off the devastating situation and looked to the Lord. He put his trust in the Lord. When he did this God have him the answer.

The Word of the Lord came, "the battle is not yours, but God’s…fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you." God gave him a strategy. He appointed a choir of singers to go before the army and praise the Lord. As soon as they began to sing and praise the Lord, God gave them the victory.

When we keep our eyes upon the difficulties, we are unable to receive an answer. When we are in the dungeon of despair and self-pity, we can’t see a way out. When we constantly mull over in our minds the problems and negatives, we will never hear God’s voice. It’s only when we take our eyes off these things and turn them toward the Lord that we will hear His voice and know what we should do.

Let’s look at another story. David and his men came back to Ziklag where he was living to find that it had been invaded, burned with fire and their wives and children had been captured.² Wow! It would be hard to think of a worse situation than this wouldn’t it? David and his men were so distraught that they wept until they had no more strength to weep.

The situation worsened. His men started to talk of stoning him! What could David do? Once again he found the secret. He turned his heart toward the Lord. He laid hold upon the Lord. When he turned his heart toward the Lord, and off the terrible circumstances, God showed him what to do. "Yes, go after them," God said, "you will recover everything."

Does this seem too simple? Surely there is something more involved! No, that’s all you have to do. Take your eyes off your circumstances and turn your eyes toward the Lord. Wait on Him. Trust Him.

Read these scriptures:

Psalm 25:15, "Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net."

Psalm 123:1-2, "To Thee I lift up my eyes, O Thou who art enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till He have mercy upon us."

Psalm 141:8, "My eyes are toward Thee, O Lord God; in Thee I seek refuge."

Isaiah 51:1, "Look unto the Rock from whence you are hewn."

Surely there is no better place to look than to the one who is our Source.

"But I’ve cried out to the Lord and nothing’s happened," you say. "I think God has forgotten me." I didn’t say that you would get your answer immediately. No, our responsibility is to look to the Lord and trust in Him. It is His responsibility to deliver us in His time. God is not in a hurry.

Many times He waits to give us the answer to prove what is in our hearts. 2 Chronicles 32:31 tells us that "God left Hezekiah, to try him, that He might know all that was in his heart." God wants a people who will trust Him no matter what. He doesn’t want us to be like children who think we have to receive something the moment we ask.

But God will not fail us. He will deliver us in His perfect timing. Keep waiting. Keep looking to Him. Keep trusting. You will never be ashamed when your look to Him. Psalm 34:5 says, "They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed."

Make this a habit of your life. Every time something goes wrong, instead of wringing your hands in despair, turn your eyes toward the Lord. When the children are being difficult, turn your eyes to the Lord and praise Him - the atmosphere in your home will change. When your finances are low, turn your eyes to the Lord and thank Him for His provision.

As you wait on Him you will see Him prove Himself to you. When you have to make a decision, don’t make haste. Don’t rush your decision. Have patience. Give God time to show you what to do. As you make this your habit in every little situation of each day, it will be your automatic response when you face bigger problems.

This is your secret. Now you know what to do when you don’t know what to do!

NANCY CAMPBELL

Scripture references:

1 Read 2 Chronicles 20

2 Read 1 Samuel 30.